Andre Agassi on Federer-Nadal Legacy: 'No Safe Place to Put a Ball'

• Tennis News
• ATP Tennis

In his interview from a couple of years ago, Andre Agassi spoke about Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, praising their legacy and the innovations they brought to the tennis world. Andre and Roger met 11 times, and their last duel came in the 2005 US Open final.

The American reached the final at the home Major as the oldest player since Ken Rosewall in 1974. He gave his best against the world's leading player but suffered a 6-3, 2-6, 7-6, 6-1 loss in two hours and 19 minutes. Andre said that Roger played on a very high level in that match and those years in general, dominating with his serve and forehand and leaving no safe place to put a ball.

Serving at 76%, Federer blasted 44 service winners. He had the upper hand with his forehand to control the pace in the rallies and keep the pressure on his rival, especially in sets one and four. Andre scored three breaks from six opportunities, insufficient for a more favorable result.

The veteran lost 44% of the points in his games and faced no less than 18 break chances, fending off 14 of those and still finishing on the losing side.

Andre Agassi recalled the 2005 US Open final against Roger Federer.

"The next generation is on its way.

You look at Zverev and Thiem. These guys have realized they can not afford to respect the 'Big 3' as much as they did in the past. They have to improve their game more to challenge the top positions, which is challenging. The new generation that comes to the top has to bring something new and unique, like Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl and the 'Big 3' did.

When I faced Roger Federer in the 2005 US Open final, there was no safe place to put a ball on the court. He always had the best forehand and could stay in touch with Andy Roddick in the number of aces. Roger's serve, return, movement and net game were incredible; his versatility was so strong that he might have had five things individually better than everybody else on the Tour.

Rafa Nadal came after Roger and brought enormous spin that changed the game of tennis. His balls appear long before they land within the court at the last moment. That changes the position where you have to stay and equals many of those qualities I mentioned about Roger. Alongside that, Nadal's powerful movement, strength and endurance are still unmatched," Andre Agassi said.